Countertops serve as an essential part of any kitchen. They are an attractive and functional surface for cooking, hosting guests, and interacting with your family.
The right countertops can add beauty to a home and improve its value. However, choosing the best countertop material can be a daunting task.
Durability
Countertops Pittsburgh, PA, are one of the most used home surfaces. Whether kids do their math homework or you are prepping meals, countertops must stand up to heat, spills, and sharp knives without losing their appearance. Fortunately, there are a wide range of quality countertops to choose from.
Quartz is a durable countertop option that mimics the look of stone but requires less maintenance. Consumer Reports tested a dozen types of countertop materials. They found that quartz resists hot pots, serrated knives, cuts, gouges, and most stains—even those from coffee, citrus, and everyday household acids.
Laminate is budget-friendly and available in various colors and styles, but it is easily damaged by heat and shows seams between sections. Solid surface counters are more expensive, but they don’t require sealing and are available in various patterns and colors. Some even mimic the look of granite, marble, and butcher block. They also resist heat damage and scratching better than many other countertop materials.
Aesthetics
A quality countertop is not only functional, but it also elevates the aesthetic of a room. With a vast selection of colors, textures, and materials, finding the perfect countertops for your home is simple.
When choosing a countertop, consider both your sense of style and your daily habits. Light, neutral hues continue to curry favor and are an excellent option for homeowners looking to make a minimal statement. For a more dramatic look, quartz offers an array of colors and patterns to meet every homeowner’s taste.
Solid surfacing is another popular choice for homeowners because it’s a tremendous middle-tier option. Made of acrylic and polyester resins, it is virtually maintenance-free, and scratches and burns can be sanded. It’s also available in various styles, including dupes for granite and marble. However, it isn’t heat resistant, so it’s essential to have trivets on hand. This type of countertop is available from big box retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Ease of Maintenance
There are many different countertop options available, from natural stone to manufactured composite materials. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and budget. Consider how you use your kitchen to determine if something low-maintenance would work best or if heat and stain resistance are top priorities.
Quartz is one of the most popular choices for stain-resistant countertops. The artificial, non-porous material comes in a wide range of colors and offers a nearly identical look to marble but requires less care. It doesn’t need regular sealing or the treatment of etch marks. It’s also unaffected by heat, and it’s more affordable than other natural stone countertops.
Solid surfacing counters, made from acrylic and polyester, are another popular choice. They are stain-resistant, seamless, and can be sanded to remove scratches and burns. But they aren’t heat-resistant, so you should always keep a few trivets.
Increased Value
Many homeowners are drawn to countertop materials that provide a high level of style and beauty. They are also resistant to stains, heat damage, and scratches. This makes them a wise investment that can add value to your home.
Countertop material trends come and go, but stone countertops are a timeless choice. Unlike laminate counters that start to peel after only a few years or wood counters that are subject to frequent dents and knicks, granite and quartzite counters will remain attractive for decades.
Another reason to choose a natural stone like quartzite is that it is one of the most environmentally friendly options. It requires minimal processing and produces fewer harmful byproducts than other kitchen materials. Quartzite also stays true to color better than other counters that can become discolored by UV exposure. This can be a significant consideration if your kitchen is exposed to direct sunlight. Investing in quality countertops is a wise move that will increase the resale value of your New York City home.